Troubleshooting Slow Performance: Windows Explorer Takes Over 1 Minute to Show Shortcuts

Are you experiencing slow performance when trying to access shortcuts in Windows Explorer? If it takes over a minute for the shortcuts to show up, don't worry, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this issue. In this article, we will guide you through the process of troubleshooting slow performance in Windows Explorer.

Restart Your Computer

Before diving into more complex troubleshooting steps, it's always a good idea to start with a simple solution. Restarting your computer can help resolve many performance-related issues, including slow performance in Windows Explorer. Close all open applications and click on the Start menu, then select Restart. Once your computer has restarted, check if the issue persists.

Check for Windows Updates

Outdated software can often lead to performance issues. Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date by checking for and installing any available updates. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu and open the Settings app.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click on Check for updates and allow Windows to search for any available updates.
5. If updates are found, click on Download and install.
6. Restart your computer if prompted.

Once your computer has restarted, check if the slow performance issue in Windows Explorer has been resolved.

Disable Startup Programs

Having too many programs starting up with your computer can significantly impact its performance. By disabling unnecessary startup programs, you can improve the overall speed of your system. Follow these steps to disable startup programs:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the Startup tab.
3. You will see a list of programs that start up with your computer. Right-click on any program you don't need to start automatically and select Disable.
4. Repeat step 3 for all the unnecessary programs.
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

After restarting your computer, check if the slow performance issue with Windows Explorer has improved.

Scan for Malware

Malware infections can significantly impact the performance of your computer. It's important to regularly scan your system for malware and remove any threats found. You can use Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus software on Windows, to scan your system for malware. Follow these steps to perform a malware scan:

1. Click on the Start menu and open the Settings app.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Security.
4. In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection.
5. Click on Quick scan and wait for the scan to complete.
6. If any threats are found, follow the instructions to remove them.
7. Restart your computer after the scan and threat removal process is complete.

After restarting your computer, check if the slow performance issue in Windows Explorer has been resolved.

Check for Disk Errors

Disk errors can also cause slow performance in Windows Explorer. You can use the built-in Windows tool called Check Disk (CHKDSK) to scan and repair any disk errors. Follow these steps to run Check Disk:

1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E.
2. Right-click on the drive where your operating system is installed (usually C:), and select Properties.
3. In the Properties window, click on the Tools tab.
4. Under the Error checking section, click on Check.
5. If prompted, select Scan drive.
6. Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.
7. If any errors are found, follow the instructions to repair them.
8. Restart your computer after the scan and repair process is complete.

After restarting your computer, check if the slow performance issue in Windows Explorer has been resolved.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing slow performance in Windows Explorer, it can be frustrating. However, by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can improve the performance of Windows Explorer and have a smoother experience. If the issue persists, it may be worth contacting a professional tech support service for further assistance.

References